Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Yellow Silver are two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches. The Oil King is widely regarded for its smoothness and satisfying sound profile, often compared to the snap of a dark chocolate bar. It offers a variety of qualities like being low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile. This makes it an ideal choice for gamers and typists seeking speed and responsiveness. Both switches have their unique advantages and characteristics that cater to different preferences and needs. However, let's delve deeper into their specific attributes to help you make an informed decision regarding the best switch for your use case.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches have distinct differences. The Oil King features a nylon top housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Yellow Silver has a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver is advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency. However, both switches utilize the same nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic and sound absorption properties.
When considering the overall sound profile of the switches, there is a clear distinction between the Oil King and the Yellow Silver. The Oil King, with its nylon top and proprietary INK blend bottom housing, creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This sound is characterized as clacky, providing a satisfying thin and higher-pitched typing experience. On the other hand, the combination of the Yellow Silver's polycarbonate top housing and the nylon bottom housing results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The sound when bottoming out is impacted by the bottom housing, while the sound when releasing a key is influenced by the top housing.
While the top and bottom housings of the switches differ, they still share similarities in terms of their nylon bottom housing. Typing on switches with nylon housing, whether the Gateron Oil King or the Outemu Yellow Silver, will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, users can expect similar sound characteristics when using these switches, even with the differences in their top housings.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Oil King is slightly heavier at 55 grams, while the Yellow Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Oil King requires 65 grams of force, making it medium-heavy, whereas the Yellow Silver requires 55 grams, which is considered medium-light.
Individual preferences may vary when it comes to the weight of switches. Those who prefer a lighter feel may lean towards the Yellow Silver, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for a smoother and potentially faster typing experience. This can be beneficial for extended periods of use, such as during work or long gaming sessions.
On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may find the Oil King more suitable. With its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a stronger push feel, which can be desirable for those who prefer a bit more resistance and feedback while typing.
In summary, the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Oil King is slightly heavier, offering a more substantial typing experience, while the Yellow Silver is lighter, providing a smoother and potentially faster typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired weight for individual usage scenarios.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key, you will feel the same distance traveled for both switches. Therefore, regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50, whereas the Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is best described as low-pitched and bassy. These switches offer a deep and mellow tone during key presses, resembling the richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch has a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound that is suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you use them at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. However, if you are looking for a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, the Oil King would be a preferable choice, while the Yellow Silver will provide a more neutral sound experience.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience. These switches provide a smooth and buttery sensation while typing, as if your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys. The typing feel is exceptionally smooth, with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This can be attributed to the lubricant applied in the switch at the factory and the specific materials used. On the other hand, the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is unknown, as there is no information provided. However, based on the information available, it can be assumed that the Yellow Silver switch would not provide the same level of smoothness and buttery feel as the Oil King.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Oil King provides a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, along with a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing feel. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch has a neutral sound profile and the feel is unknown. If you prefer a deep and mellow tone with a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Oil King would be the recommended choice. However, if you are looking for a switch with a moderate sound and are unsure about the feel, the Yellow Silver switch could still provide a satisfactory experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a buttery smoothness and a low-pitched, bassy sound profile, the Gateron Oil King linear switch would be the perfect choice for you. These switches offer a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys with ease. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch would be more suitable. These switches are favored by gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. They provide a moderate typing experience suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Oil King and Outemu Yellow Silver switches depends on your preference for key weight, sound profile, and typing feel. Choose the one that aligns with your desired gaming or typing experience to enhance your overall satisfaction and performance.
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